The Call DC... Can I Say Life Changing?!!!

So this past weekend I went to The Call in Washington DC.

Well let me share with you how it all worked out =D... This was such a blessing for me because I wanted to go last year [to the Call Nashville], but my ACC summer classes conflicted with it and well, it's not that cheap. And of course, this whole year I've been wanting so badly to go to The Call DC. Well when my grandma mentioned to one of her friends that I wanted to go, that friend felt lead by the Holy Spirit to send me some money for airfare. How awesome! My parents paid for the remaining expenses, but of course there was the problem with my UT summer schedule (yeah i know, I'm always in summer school). Well, I looked at my syllabuses and all of my exams were scheduled perfectly around the weekend of The Call (Wenesday, Thursday, and Monday). So God totally worked it out for me!

Flying and arriving in DC was an adventure in and of itself. My flight on Friday from Austin to Dallas was somehow cancelled so I was transferred to another flight. No biggie. Upon arriving in Dallas, I found that I only had 7 minutes to get to my connecting flight (yikes!)... so I ran through the terminal to the gate, which thankfully wasn't far away, only to find that the flight had been delayed two hours and forty minutes. Of course, I was thankful that I didn't miss the flight altogether. So when I got to DC I spent about 30 minutes trying to find the metro station, and then headed towards the hotel. I was so relieved when I walked into the lobby, ready to check in, get into my room, and sleep in a comfortable bed after a long day of traveling. So I gave the guy my reservation number and my driver's license. Then he tells me that I can't check in because I'm not twenty-one. What?! That's funny haha... And then I knew he wasn't joking when he suggested that I go to a hotel in Maryland or Virginia. Apparently DC has a 21+ rule for their hotels, due to the selling of alcohol or what not. Now, I'll admit that was kinda scary-being alone in DC and apparently too young for their hotels! Now thankfully I have a cousin, Anna, who lives in DC, however she doesn't live too close to the area where my hotel was at. Well, I called her to see if she could help me out and she happened to be around that area, like literally walking down the street that was around the corner from the hotel! So she came to my rescue and checked in for me. Again, the Holy Spirit is soooo awesome! Thank you God (and Anna :)

So finally I got to the room, watched some olympics, ate, and then went about deciding how I was gonna get to and from the National Mall the next day. Particularly cuz it ended at 10 pm and I am not that great with directions. Well, then I remembered that my friend Cameron was going to The Call too, so I texted him to see how he was liking DC so far. Come to find out we were staying in the same hotel and on the same level too... so now I definitely wouldn't be getting lost  (again thank you God!) 

I woke up on Saturday, super excited! I was there in DC, going to The Call! We (Cameron, Shane, and I) headed to the National Mall early to get a good spot. About an hour before it started, Rick Pido started leading the people in worship. While Rick was doing his thing, I decided to walk around for a little bit. So I strolled up and down the mall and eventually walked closer to where the capital was to get a better view. As I stood there, observing the beautiful massive structure I felt so glad to be there, in DC, apart of Jesus' body crying out to Him for the nation. And at that moment I felt so thankful for the United States, so thankful to be an American-and I don't always feel this way-and so blessed to be there.

The Call started at 10 am, with excitement and anticipation. The shofars began to sound, giving me goosebumps up and down my arms. Oh, how I had waited for this moment! That Saturday turned out to be a gorgeous day. The sun was up, the sky was blue, (it's beautiful and so are you...lalala, o.k. had a Beatles moment :P).

Lou Engle began to speak, encouraging us to begin to pray for mercy for our nation (he would do this continually throughout the whole day). One of the main focuses of this prayer gathering, was praying for the ending of abortion and for the healing of the nation. Lou Engle led us in many a prayer, asking God to break our hearts for our nation, particularly for the cries of the aborted unborn, who had no voices and yet so much pain. 

Another major focus of The Call was prayer for unification and reconciliation among the Body. This so touched me because the racial segregation among churches today has always aggravated me. It's so against what God wants for His children. It was refreshing to see Lou have people, representing different races, come on the stage and pray for themselves and for each other. He also had us pray for forgiveness for the past injustices which occurred in America, such as the destruction and war towards the Native Americans under "Manifest Destiny" and the slavery and Jim Crowe Laws. Both Arab and Jew, Catholic and Protestant, prayed for one another. It was awesome! I began to weep when Lou had a Native American believer pray in his own tongue. The man began to loosen and undo his hair, which was in a ponytail. He stated that the act symbolized, that it was finished and done. In Jesus, payment is finished--making God's grace and mercy abound--a life of no hope is forever done, and the reconciliation and forgiveness among believers is final. That's what we were praying for and declaring: mercy for our nation, hope for America, and reconciliation and unity among brothers and sisters. Oh, what more could one ask for?!

And to be there, praying for these things, with 70,000 other people, who are just as desiring, sincere, and passionate about it as I am, was an indescribable experience. I'll never forget it...

So the hours passed by, some longer than others, but never wasted. The weather was quite warm, but God sent a crisp cool breeze during the whole time... how like Him to do so =) And throughout the day, I felt His pleasure in seeing us there gathered together, because of our love and devotion to Him and unfailing trust in His mercy and power. For our ceaseless pleading for mercy was done out of a knowledge of who He is, a God of mercy; as well as our rejoicing in His name for he is a God of power. And because of our praying, He is a God who is moving no doubt! 

Soon enough the sun began to set and joyful praising and worshiping broke out. We ended with a celebration because we had now released our prayers and declarations. How could we not rejoice, knowing Him and how He will move? "Ask Me and I'll give you the nations for your inheritance..."

And then The Call was over (tear). Now I know that twelve hours is not that long, not when you're in His presence! And I now feel the Holy Spirit calling me to begin fasting and praying (more than I have). S(he) also told me to not be afraid of being too radical because I am holy--it's who I'm meant to be.  

So that was my experience at The Call DC. God worked it out perfectly and He blessed me through so many different people. The praying was passionate and intense. I'll never forget it and the atmosphere in our nation shifted because of it, no doubt. Well, thanks for reading this long entry and I hope it encouraged you in some way :) 

Ciao! 

Need Some Motivation...

So I'm here in my dorm room being absolutely and totally unproductive. There are many things I could be doing right now... writing one of my two essays, studying for my philosophy test, reading my massively annoying (or annoyingly massive) anthropology assignment. Argh, but no... I am putting that aside to update this very important blog. 

All the while, I'm wandering about this thing called school and college. This thing that is supposed to expand one's mind, but sometimes just feels like a never ending cycle of papers and reading assignments. Yeah I've learned nice pieces of knowledge over the past summer, and over senior year, and over last summer when I was taking classes at ACC. It's all nice, sometimes fascinating, and of course always interesting. 

But this nonstop academic activity has really made me sick of school and not motivated in the least. I feel like a slow turtle, drudging and dragging on with my assignments. And time... time is like the annoying hare that races past me, reminding me that I'd better not fall behind. 

Don't worry, I don't fall behind. No, I pull those lovely all-nighters of course, and begin the morning with some form of caffeine. Everything always works out though...

And everything will work out. I just wish I could motivate myself to finish these last few weeks. And I wish I could feel just a tad bit more excited about the fall semester. A part of me is, it really is; probably my spirit. It can sense the changes and new atmospheres that are to come. 

Oh, but my mind (well maybe more so my brain) is not looking forward to the fall. More lectures, tests, the works. It needs to be renewed... it'll always need to be renewed. 

(That's a good word right there; thank you Holy Spirit :) 

Renewed daily, moment by moment... 

Well, as far as my body goes, I think it just needs some sleep and it'll be good to go for tomorrow and for the fall semester. Well... that's my cue to conclude. 

Thanks for reading and listening... It's been fun... Ima go to bed >) Ciao! 

First three weeks as a college kid...

Finally, my first post...

So yes, I have finished the third week of my first semester of college. Hoorah! I know, I know, I probably should have posted something a long time ago and believe me this blog has been on my mind. But no worries :) 

So far, college has treated me well. Of course I arrived here with expectations and presuppositions. Some have been met and others, not so much. But hey, I've only been here for three weeks. 

Let's see, when I first got here I thought that...

I'd get along with my roommate well enough, but was afraid of living with someone that I've never known before and of course thinking of all those terrible roommate stories.

My teachers would be old intellectual social outcast types, intimidating and boring.

I'd meet so many new people with different ideas and opinions. 

Speaking out and stating my ideas in class would be easy enough.

I'd keep my room clean all the time :)

I'd try being a vegetarian... hmmm.

I'd do things that I've always wanted.

I'd have a perfectly managed schedule.

Check out the local bands and listen to great music (not good, great)

Major growth would occur within me. 

The Holy Spirit would work through me as a healing revivalist on the campus, with boldness and understanding.

Live a life under the aura of His Presence at all times. 

I'd establish close relationships and just love people. 

My first priority would be to go after the reality of Jesus, apart from what my family believes, apart from Christianity, and apart from everything that is not essential Truth and... 

I'd once again see how everything happens for a reason. 

I'd become an intimate friend (bf) of God (heck yes!)

My being here would somehow impact others. 

I'd have the freakin' sweetest time of my life!!!

Oh, and that I'd get to see the albino squirrel again (watcha!) 

Well, I kinda went deep with that at the end.... But this is an important blog, the most in fact :P

I don't want to go into every detail about how these expectations have or haven't been met. But I can tell you this much... 

My roommate is awesome and we've become good friends. It's like having a sleepover everyday. My teachers are actually pretty cool, young (graduate students most likely), and easy to talk to. I've met so many different kinds of people and with that experienced some great conversations. I've found that speaking out in class is hard and intimidating. So far my room has not stayed clean, although I try to keep it organized (can't help myself). Schedule is definitely not even existent, kinda bugs me, but whatever. I haven't checked out any local bands :(

Certain ideologies and philosophies have challenged my beliefs and what I've known to be true. It kinda makes everything in my life feel unstable and shaky. Makes one wander why anyone believes anything.  

Then there's the "yet" moment, and since starting college, it's been more of a "yet" reality. My friendship and intimate bond with Jesus transcends every possible philosophy, theory, or myth. He meets me wherever I go and He is soooo much bigger than any construction of mankind. Now I'm kind of liking this whole not "going" to church. For now, I could really get used to this reality of just being a friend.

 

Eventually I want my cup to overflow with His Presence. I want it to overflow so much that everything around me will be flooded with this sweet, overwhelming, and unmistakably satisfying gift.  And true, I want to see more happening in terms of supernatural signs and wonders. I know that I'm crazy for wanting this, but then again when did I care? Yes, the discouraging thoughts and doubts flood my mind about how I'm a failure, blah blah blah. 

Then there's that "yet" reality again (I've got a huge smile on my face). This being that no matter what i do, my relationship with Him is constant. 

What if...

I heal someone (sweetness). 

I go for a walk (always great). 

In the end, the same lovely tune rings "Oh how he loves me so..."

Do I question what I believe? All the time. Do I get frustrated by this feeling of failure? You have no idea. Do I feel like I'm gonna go crazy because of this burning desire for revival and healing? That would be a yes. Would I trade any of it if the price was that I couldn't be with Him? Negative. I can't even comprehend such an idea.

>It amazes me how through so much frustration, discouragement, intimidation, and dissatisfaction there is so much depth and peace.< 

So yeah, I guess that's a taste of how my life as a college student has been so far. It's unusual and kind of heavy, I know. I'm happy though; happy to be learning and growing. It feels like it's been so much longer than 3 weeks and I'm glad... (time don't go too fast please!) 

I'll try to post somewhat often and let you know how everything's going. You can leave comments if it strikes your fancy, hehe... Ciao!